What happens if someone deliberately deflects a ball to win a hole?

Yes, there's a penalty. If you deliberately deflect or stop any ball in motion, you get the general penalty — loss of hole in match play or two strokes in stroke play (Rule 11.2b). The only exception in match play is when an opponent's ball has no reasonable chance of going in and they deflect it as a concession or to tie the hole, which falls under Rule 3.2 instead.

When Rule 11.2 applies

Rule 11.2 kicks in when it's known or virtually certain that a ball in motion was deliberately deflected or stopped by a person. That means someone deliberately touched the ball, or the ball hit equipment, an object, or a person that a player deliberately positioned or left in a spot so it might deflect or stop the ball. It doesn't matter whose ball it is — yours, an opponent's, or another player's in stroke play. The penalty is the same: general penalty (loss of hole in match play, two strokes in stroke play).

The match play exception

There's one specific carve-out in match play. If your opponent's ball is in motion and there's no reasonable chance it can be holed, and they deliberately deflect or stop it either as a concession or because the ball needed to be holed to tie the hole, Rule 11.2 doesn't apply. Instead, it's handled under Rule 3.2a(1) or 3.2b(1) — the concession rules. So if your opponent concedes your putt by swatting it away, or knocks it away to halve the hole, that's not a Rule 11.2 penalty.

What counts as deliberate

Deliberate isn't just about intent at the moment you place something. Under Interpretation 11.2a/1, if you leave equipment, an object, or a person in position after realizing it could deflect or stop a ball, that counts as deliberate. Classic example: you rake a bunker and leave the rake between the green and the bunker without thinking. Then you realize your downhill putt might hit it and you deliberately leave it there. If your ball hits that rake, you've deliberately deflected your own ball — general penalty.

Exceptions that change the answer

• Opponent's ball in match play has no reasonable chance to be holed and is deliberately deflected as a concession or to tie the hole → Rule 3.2 applies (concession rules), not Rule 11.2 — no general penalty under this rule
• Player lifts their ball moving in water in temporary water or a penalty area when taking relief → No penalty under Rule 11.2

Frequently asked questions

What's the penalty for deliberately stopping a ball in motion?

General penalty — loss of hole in match play, two strokes in stroke play (Rule 11.2b). Applies whether it's your ball, an opponent's, or another player's in stroke play.

Does it matter whose ball I deliberately deflect?

No. Rule 11.2b says the penalty applies whether it's your own ball, an opponent's ball, or another player's ball in stroke play. Same penalty either way.

What if I leave my rake and it stops my ball?

If you realize the rake could stop your ball and deliberately leave it there, that counts as deliberate deflection under Interpretation 11.2a/1. You get the general penalty.

What's the match play exception for conceding a hole?

If an opponent's ball has no reasonable chance to go in and they deflect it as a concession or to tie the hole, Rule 3.2 (concessions) applies instead of Rule 11.2. No general penalty under this rule.

What if my ball is moving in water and I pick it up?

No penalty if you lift your ball moving in water in temporary water or a penalty area when taking relief under the relevant relief rule. That's an explicit exception in Rule 11.2b.